Orgosolo

 

Orgosolo lies in the heart of the mountain area of the Barbagia del Supramonte. Its hinterland is strewn with the traces of the ancient dwellers of Sardinia: domus de janas, tombs of the giants and the nuraghes of Su Calavriche, Mereu and Gorroppu. Towards the end of the 19th century, this small isolated town became known across Europe as a centre of banditry. Italian film Director Vittorio De Seta made a famous film, Bandits of Orgosolo (1961), which depicts banditry as the result of the desperate fight of farmers and shepherds to defend their land from expropriation by the State.

Take some time to stroll through the narrow streets and alleys of the village: you will come across a wealth of murals on the outer walls of the houses and even on some rocks around the town, with social, artistic and political themes. Orgosolo is also one of the cradles of the “canto a tenore”, a traditional polyphonic choir singing technique native to the Barbagia district, whose origins are lost in the mists of time and which has been listed by UNESCO as intangible world heritage. For an exhilarating trek, don your boots and head to the Montes Forest, where among monumental holm oaks you will come across the pinnettos, the old shepherd’s round huts made of stone and branches. Complete your nature discovery trip with a visit to the Museo Naturalistico del Supramonte. On 15 August, Orgosolo celebrates the Assunta with a picturesque procession and parade of traditional costumes through the streets of the village.

The feast culminates with Sa Vardia, a furious horse race run in town which makes a stunning show much loved by tourists. While in town, stop to admire the church of San Pietro, the patron saint, especially its 15th century bell tower.